Here's what we're reading, watching, playing, and listening to this week

Everyone has a bit of quiet downtime once in a while. Whether you're sitting quietly at home or trying to relax on a plane or just giving your busy mind and hands a break, it's important to relax.

A good way to do that is to read a book, listen to some music or watch a movie or show. See what's caught our attention for the week of August 4th.

Ara Wagoner

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations started back in the spring of 2017, but this summer brought us the first big payoff from the sequel series — as well as one of the most well-paced boss battles I've seen in years. Episode 65 — titled Father and Child — is a battle from start to finish, with brief cooldowns and rallies every couple of minutes as the fight shifts between the 5 Kages, Naruto and Sasuke, the Kages again, and Boruto stepping in to defend his father and help win the day.

This fight is a turning point for the show and its titular characters; Naruto sees who his son really is and how far he's come as a shinobi, and Boruto finds his destiny, receiving the powerful-yet-mysterious Karma Seal from his defeated foe that will dominate the show's next arc. It's also an excellent time to jump on the Boruto bandwagon, as the simulcasted subtitled episodes enter a new arc and Viz prepares the first episodes for their English dub debut at the end of September on Toonami.

You can find Boruto — as well as Naruto and Shippuden — on Crunchyroll and Hulu.

Tom Westrick

I'm nearing the end of season eight of Cheers, and I'm taking a bit of a break from it right now. I've enjoyed it, but a break for another series is a good way to keep it from feeling like a chore. I'm taking that break by watching Season 4 of The Flash. I'm about halfway through the season, and other than being annoyed that the Speed Force is more and more the Plot Force, I've really enjoyed it. It's cool to see Team Flash fight a villain who isn't a speedster, and I'm curious to see just how they defeat the Thinker.

Essa Kidwell

It's a good week for music for me. With the Dystopia Rising: PA game kicking off this weekend I've been on a writing overdrive. So between making sure there are plenty of Zombie stories to keep the larpers entertained for a whole weekend, and getting prepped for all the fun new things coming in August with gaming… I'm pretty stoked! So this calls for nothing less than some Postmodern Jukebox and a whole lot of relaxing. Perhaps naps as well. Shoot me a Tweet and tell me your favorite larp, Postmodern song or what game you're most excited about!

The world may never know.

Quentyn Kennemer

Orange is the new Black is back! I actually didn't even realize the new season was out until Netflix sent me a notification about it a day late. That's OK. I've been bingeing it all the same. In case you haven't seen it, OitnB (as it's affectionately abbreviated) takes a look inside the lives of women stuck in prison.

The show strikes that nice balance between comedy, violence, and serious moments, and this latest season is the biggest yet. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical in Jenji Kohan's ability to drive a show home after the train wreck that was Weeds, but with a proper budget, creative control, and no fear that the show will be canceled in the blink of an eye, I will happily admit that she has shut me up.

Your turn

What are YOU reading, watching, or listening to this week? Let us know in the comments!

Update, August 4th, 2018: This is a bi-weekly series where we tell you what we're into, so check back every other weekend!